The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, has been given "no indication" that an Irish man imprisoned in Thailand for a murder he has denied committing is about to be freed.
Reports that Mr Colin Martin is among thousands of prisoners due to be released this week were just speculation, a spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said.
"The speculation that he is about to be released stems from the fact that on the queen's birthday, a number of prisoners are usually pardoned. Mr Martin may or may not be released. The Minister has been given no indication that he specifically will be released," she said.
The 43-year-old has spent seven years in the Bangkok prison since his arrest for the murder of New Zealand national Mr Brett Holdsworth in 1997.
Mr Holdsworth had business dealings with a company for which Mr Martin was recruiting workers. However, it later emerged that the company was bogus.
When Mr Holdsworth was found murdered, Mr Martin was arrested in connection with his death. However, he claims he only confessed to the murder following torture by the Thai police.
Mr Martin is not due for release until 2010. However, there have been suggestions that he may be freed on Queen Sirkit's birthday this Thursday as part of the ceremonial celebrations.
Mr Cowen had in the past made representations to the Thai authorities on Mr Martin's behalf, the spokeswoman said.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/0bcd259b-2f01-4cec-ad76-961379866d32.png)